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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want ds to go to a party and jump on a trampoline without a net?

77 replies

rosybud · 23/05/2008 13:28

Ds (8) has been invited to his friend's party to swim in an (unfenced) pool and jump on a trampoline without a net.

I am not happy about this.

We don't have a trampoline so ds is not an experienced jumper, the other boys are bigger/heavier than him. Dh is very concerned as I am...but I know ds will feel i am being overly cautious and spoiling the fun!

Do I stand my ground and insist he is not to go on the trampoline or am i over-reacting?

OP posts:
Original poster
rosybud · 23/05/2008 13:49

Ok, thanks everyone, I will let him go but have a word to the mum.

OP posts:
onebatmother · 23/05/2008 13:56

Why don't you try and freak her out make her aware of the risks by mentioning some recent horror stories reports?

Seriously - kids break their necks landing awkwardly off these, and a group of crazy 8 year olds would make me v nervous.

Iota · 23/05/2008 14:01

oh no - we have a very strict one child at a time rule on our trampoline.

I found some stats that said 75% of accidents happen if there is more than one child on the trampoline.

we don't have a net though

DarthVader · 23/05/2008 14:02

This is extremely dangerous

One child at a time with a net is safe, anything else is not

This mum is insane and risks serious injury at her party not to mention being sued for millions

I would refuse the invite I'm afraid

Twiglett · 23/05/2008 14:03

am going awy with friends to their country cottage with trampoline and no net and I know she'll let her kids on at same time whereas I make mine take turns .. I am going to look paranoid and neurotic but fuck it

Iota · 23/05/2008 14:05

Safety Issues
The latest accident figures available are for 2002 and these showed 11,500 people in
the UK going to hospital after an accident with a trampoline ? an increase of more than
50 per cent over a five-year period. Accidents on trampolines at home had increased
almost fourfold in the same time, with 4,200 under-15s being hurt in 2002. The
growing popularity of the sport also saw injuries rise to 6,700 in places such as sports
halls and gymnasia, but at nowhere near the same rate as those at home. The key
safety issues are as follows:
Approximately 75% of injuries occur when more than one person is on the
trampoline. The person weighing less is five times more likely to be
injured.
Children under six years old are particularly vulnerable to injury.
Injuries can occur to all parts of the body, including the neck, arms, legs face
and head. Head and neck injuries are the most serious injuries associated
with trampolines.
Adult supervision is no guarantee of safety. More than half of all trampoline
accidents occur whilst under supervision. However a trained ?spotter? can
greatly reduce this risk.

from www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/information/trampoline_safety.pdf.

Original poster
rosybud · 23/05/2008 14:08

DarthVader, I agree, I think it is totally mad and incredibly dangerous.

I'm sure it won't be long before having a net is a legal requirement. There was a story recently about a boy who was seriously and permanenly injured on a bouncy castle and the parents holding the party were found liable in court. Very scary and sad.

OP posts:
Original poster
rosybud · 23/05/2008 14:10

Iota, thanks for those facts, it renews my determination

OP posts:
tiredlady · 23/05/2008 14:14

My mate works in A+ E and would never EVER let her kids go on one of those things without a net.

handlemecarefully · 23/05/2008 14:15

A classmate of dd recently broke his arm whilst on a trampoline - YANBU

AbbeyA · 23/05/2008 14:22

I should tell her about the recent bouncy castle case where the parents who held the party were sued and found liable. If I had a trampoline I would put it away (right out of sight) for a party.

haggisaggis · 23/05/2008 14:23

We don't have a net on ours - but we do have a strict 1 child at a time policy. We also supervise and ensure the jumping child stays in the middle - and no somersaults allowed!
In my opinion, nets increase the risk of injury as children bounce higher, bounce near teh edges and risk hitting the supporting poles of the enclosure and often bounce in groups . My neighbours have one with a net - kids are unsupervised and jump all over each other - as well as attempting somersaults etc.

BouncingTurtle · 23/05/2008 14:28

A friend brought one for her ds (aged 10) and didn't bother getting a net.
Her ds was on with one of his friends, friend fell off and end up with a badly sprained wrist!

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 23/05/2008 14:38

We are normally quite relaxed about the kids -they climb trees, swim in rivers etc etc, adn my DS1 had adventured around cliff on his own. However, we have a trampoline WITH a net, our best friends have a trampoline without a net and the children know they are NOT allowed on that trampoline. We have explained the reason and they know they simply are not allowed. Because we don't make too many 'rules' the ones we do make they understand the reasoning for and keep to. Our friends repsect our wishes on this subject, so no problem.

JiminyCricket · 23/05/2008 14:42

I would be nervous tbh, and I'm pretty laid back about most things. The truth is trampolines cause a huge number of accidents, OK most not overly serious, but need an enclosure and supervision if being used in groups i think, even though it spoils the fun. Drop into conversation that couple who were sued for millions after not supervising a bouncy castle..

onebatmother · 23/05/2008 14:47

okay, possibly about to draw the wrath of doglovers down upon me but..

My ds was invited to another child's house - they have a staffordshire bull terrier. I don't like these dogs, and fear them bcs of the locking jaw thing. He kept being invited, I kept making excuses.

In the end I told the mother that I really hoped she wouldn't be horribly offended but that I had personally witnessed a horrific attack which had made me a bit phobic and so couldn't let him come... .

She was actually quite understanding.. My point is that if you lie embellish by saying you've personally seen a terrible accident or it's happened to someone you know, then she might take your warnings seriously without thinking that you're a freakoid neurotic crazee lady.

I am very bad though, I know.

onebatmother · 23/05/2008 15:01

shit, now you all think I am freakoid neurotic crazee lady.

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 23/05/2008 15:06

not at all onebatmother - she was not offended and you now have peace of mind. WIN WIN.

Original poster
rosybud · 23/05/2008 15:37

onebatmother I expect i will come across as a freakoid neurotic crazee lady as this mum is sooo laid back which is half the reason why i'm worried, I know she won't be closely supervising the trampoline.

OP posts:
welshdeb · 23/05/2008 16:53

Accidents are very common on trampolines, a girl in my ds (11 yo)class has her arm in a sling from a trampoline accident and another boy I know broke his arm last year.
However both those accidents were caused by having more than one person jumping at once, not falling off.

I have a trampoline and would not allow my dc on it without the safety net up, and I try to enforce minimum numbers.

OverMyDeadBody · 23/05/2008 16:59

Gosh, I wouldn't worry about it, especially at 8.

Maybe I'm a slack mum, but kids heal don't they? Is it really the end of the world if they sprain a wrist or break an arm? Aren't accidents part of childhood?

OverMyDeadBody · 23/05/2008 17:01

I'm a bit neurotic about dogs though too OBM so would probably do the same as you in your situation.

colacubes · 23/05/2008 17:02

oh no, no jumpin on a trampoline without a net, may sound over the top, but I wouldnt let mine.

littlelapin · 23/05/2008 17:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrannyandZooey · 23/05/2008 17:10

friend's dd broke both legs on a trampoline with no net
YANBU